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Publication Number
US-11116965-B2
Publication Date
2021-09-14
Expiration Date
Abstract
Nerve cuff deployment apparatuses and methods of using them to deliver a nerve cuff electrode to a target nerve trunk.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to minimally-invasively attaching a nerve cuff electrode to a patient's nerve root using a nerve cuff deployment device or apparatus insertable through a cannula. A cannula is inserted to a nerve root region, and a nerve cuff deployment tool is inserted into the cannula with the nerve cuff electrode attached at a distal end of an elongated body. The elongated body has a column strength sufficient to resist buckling at compressive forces of at least 10 N, and the tool is advanced distally through the cannula into the nerve root region.
The distal end of the nerve cuff deployment tool includes a nerve cuff engagement region that releasably secures the nerve cuff electrode using a two-part nerve cuff capsule. The capsule is configured to separate or open for deployment of the nerve cuff electrode, and disengaging the electrode from the deployment tool is performed by separating two halves of the nerve cuff capsule at the distal end of the nerve cuff deployment tool. The disengagement couples the nerve cuff electrode to the patient's nerve root.
In one described form, the elongated body includes first and second halves extending distally to proximally, and the engagement region includes a first capsule portion at a distal end of the first half and a second capsule portion at a distal end of the second half. The first and second capsule portions are configured to form a capsule that encloses and protects the nerve cuff electrode.
Claims Coverage
The provided claim set includes three independent claims. Across these claims, the coverage centers on a minimally invasive cannula-based delivery of an elongated, buckling-resistant deployment tool that releasably secures a nerve cuff electrode in a distal two-part capsule and then releases the electrode to couple it to the nerve root, with specific structural definitions for the elongated body and capsule portions.
Minimally invasive cannula insertion to the nerve root region and distal advancement of the deployment tool
Minimally invasively inserting a cannula into the patient's body to a nerve root region; inserting a nerve cuff deployment tool into the cannula, wherein the nerve cuff electrode is attached at a distal end of an elongated body of the nerve cuff deployment tool; and advancing the nerve cuff deployment tool distally through the cannula into the nerve root region.
Elongated body column strength resisting buckling at compressive forces of at least 10 N
The elongated body of the nerve cuff deployment tool has a column strength sufficient to resist buckling at compressive forces of at least 10 N.
Disengagement by separating two halves of a nerve cuff capsule at the distal end
Disengaging the nerve cuff electrode from the nerve cuff deployment tool by separating two halves of a nerve cuff capsule at the distal end of the nerve cuff deployment tool and coupling the nerve cuff electrode to the patient's nerve root.
Distal two-part capsule engagement region
An elongated body having a column strength sufficient to resist buckling at compressive forces of at least 10 N; and a nerve cuff engagement region at a distal end of elongated body, configured to releasably secure to the nerve cuff electrode, wherein the nerve cuff engagement region comprises a two-part capsule configured to at least partially enclose the nerve cuff electrode, the two-part capsule configured to separate or open for deployment of the nerve cuff electrode.
First and second halves with first and second capsule portions forming a capsule enclosure
The elongated body comprises a first half and a second half, each extending distally to proximally; and a nerve cuff engagement region at a distal end of elongated body, wherein the nerve cuff engagement region further comprises a first capsule portion at a distal end of the first half and a second capsule portion at a distal end of the second half, wherein the first and second capsule portions are configured to form a capsule to enclose and protect the nerve cuff electrode.
The independent claims collectively define a minimally invasive cannula-delivered method in which a buckling-resistant elongated deployment tool carrying a nerve cuff electrode is advanced into a nerve root region and then disengaged by separating two halves of a distal two-part capsule to couple the electrode to the nerve root, together with corresponding apparatus structures that include an elongated body with column strength resisting buckling at compressive forces of at least 10 N and a distal engagement region having a two-part capsule.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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